[Elecraft] David Cole...756ProIII vs K3
Andy Faber
andrewfaber at ymail.com
Sun Apr 13 14:04:57 EDT 2014
David,
As a long time user of Pro2s (I have one at home, along with a 7600, plus
two on Aruba at P49Y) and K3s (one at home and one on Aruba), both radios
have many nice attributes. The intuitive interface on the Pro2 is a plus,
and I find it very easy to use in casual operating. The small size and many
nifty features of the K3 make it my preferred rig. The one place where I
notice a big difference is in CW contesting. I have done many CW contests
in SO2R mode with the K3 and either a Pro2 or the 7600 as the second radio.
On CW, the K3 is truly amazing. The roofing filters make you think you are
the only guy on the band (unless someone nearby has key clicks that actually
extend into your passband). With the Icoms, by contrast, you hear all sorts
of weird digital artifacts in the passband as a result (I think) of IMD and
mixing up nearby signals. The result is that your frequency doesn't sound
like a clear freq, even if it rally is so. This is not evident in casual
contesting, but on CW in a crowded band I definitely hear the difference
when switching between the radios. But a good Pro2 or 3 is a very
cost-effective choice.
73, andy ae6y
--------------------------------------------------
From: "David Cole" <dave at nk7z.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 10:20 AM
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] David Cole...756ProIII vs K3
> Hi Fred,
> I only trust exact apples to apples comparisons...
>
> A few miles can make a bit difference in props. I will do an A/B with
> my Pro3, using everything the same, antenna, feedline, etc. I will keep
> the rig that performs better.
>
> I have an interesting mix of conditions... 20 is very quiet and has
> almost no noise on it, while 40 is filled with QRM. It will be
> interesting to see what happens.
>
> --
> Thanks and 73's,
> For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
> www.nk7z.net
> for MixW support see;
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
> for Dopplergram information see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
> for MM-SSTV see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info
>
>
> On Sun, 2014-04-13 at 10:47 -0500, Fred Smith wrote:
>> I have a newer Icom here and might have to debate the receiver issue and
>> I'm
>> half deaf. The Icom does have both CW and SSB filters/D-Star in it but
>> when
>> it comes to weak signal the K3 is superior as is the KX3. But don't get
>> me
>> wrong my IC-9100 is going nowhere as there is nothing on the market to
>> replace it.
>>
>> A close friend K0AZ Mike has all 3 radios K2/K3/KX3/PRO-III to compare. I
>> personally have listened to some weak signals here at home and at Mikes
>> (20
>> mi from me) on the phone several times using a FTDX-5000MP/K3/IC-9100. We
>> both have similar antennas Mosley's at 55' all bands 10-40m. At times not
>> all but sometimes I have heard the PRO-III pick up signals that I could
>> not
>> hear and Mike had problems with his K3.
>>
>> I hate to speak in generalities but some days different things just work
>> radios and antennas both. I have had the pleasure of owning a few nice
>> radios several at the top of the list FTDX-5000MP/K3/KX3 for the newer
>> radios and some way down the list I enjoyed most all of them except for a
>> very few. I've thinned the herd quite a bit and kept 1 K2/K3/KX3/IC-9100
>> and
>> a bunch of mobiles and HT's.
>>
>> I think the main thing is to just enjoy and use whatever you have, it’s a
>> hobby after all.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Sanders
>> Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 7:45 AM
>> To: 'Tom Fitzgerald'; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] David Cole...756ProIII vs K3
>>
>> I agree with Tom. I had a PROIII and then the K3. Both of these radios
>> are
>> here for the duration. As Tom says my K3 cost over twice what the PROIII
>> does especially including the P3/SVGA. However I always said I thought
>> the
>> PROIII was the best bang for buck buy in ham radio these days. I can find
>> strengths in both radios over the other. So I am lucky to have both in
>> front
>> of me. The truth is I am still learning good things about both of these
>> rigs
>> every day.
>> Elecrafts track record on support tells me they will be with me and my
>> K3 for a long time. This is a huge value consideration over other makers.
>> I think Elecraft is pretty unique in that regard and this reflector is
>> another factor in choice.
>> It is a tough call if money is no object but if money is a factor (Isn't
>> it
>> always?) a good used PROIII is a good choice in my opinion. I bought mine
>> new on a special special Dayton weekend some years back and paid 2.2k for
>> it
>> NIB from a major seller. This was just before they closed them out.
>> If it is a new country the K3 gets the call every time. GL es 73
>>
>> KØAZ
>> Mike Sanders
>> EM37cd SW Missouri
>> www.k0az.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tom Fitzgerald
>> Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 11:29 PM
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Elecraft] David Cole...756ProIII vs K3
>>
>> > "Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want
>> > a K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III?"
>>
>> My advice...keep the ProIII & buy a K3 too...that's what I did. When the
>> K3
>> first came out, there was a waiting list to get one. I'm not one to wait
>> on
>> much of anything I want to buy and so I bought a ProIII instead. I love
>> my
>> ProIII and decided it was probably the smart move reasoning that the K3
>> would likely have several (or more) "issues" & changes as time went by.
>> The
>> ProIII was fairly well refined by that point in time & it turned out that
>> I
>> was correct about the K3. I may get some static for this but I think both
>> radios are pretty close in performance...at least as judged by my "human"
>> ear. I filled all the slots in the K3 with the various 8 pole Inrad
>> filters
>> too. I like both radios just fine and would have very much regretted
>> selling
>> my ProIII. My K3 is a mid 3K serial number which I spent about $3K on and
>> that was well before the price increases. The ProIII has been
>> discontinued
>> (obviously) by Icom now but...back in the day...I think you got more bang
>> for your buck w ith the Icom. Again, my 2cents...don't sell it, you WILL
>> regret it. Sorry about the SUPER late reply to your original post...I get
>> so
>> much "stuff" in my inbox that it's taken me this long to catch up!
>>
>> Tom, KD0BCF
>>
>> "Two possibilities exist...
>> Either we are alone in the universe or we are not.
>> Both are equally terrifying."
>>
>> Arthur C. Clarke
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>
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